Needle tip cover

Abstract

A small needle tip cover is provided which is capable of rendering a used disposable needle safe from accidental punctures. The needle tip cover can take the form of a small rectangular piece of sheet metal that is bent back upon itself. The bend is shaped to provide a spring means which is operable to force the opposing sides of the cover together. The inner surfce of each side includes a plurality of serrated burrs which contact the shaft of a used needle and prevent the tip thereof from escaping. The needle tip cover is kept open by a collapsible column. Until the introduction of a used needle tip therebetween, the column is subject to failure from any slight transverse force, such as that provided by the shaft of the needle pressing there against.

We claim: 
     
       1. a needle tip cover comprising: a first arm;   a second arm;   spring means operable to force said arms together;   means acting against said spring means for holding said arms apart, said means comprising a collapsible column and being subject to being disabled by a transverse force applied thereagainst;   means adjacently between said first arm and said second arm for preventing a used disposable needle tip from escaping from between said arms.   
     
     
       2. The needle tip cover of claim 1 wherein: said collapsible column includes a thin walled tubular portion.   
     
     
       3. The needle tip cover of claim 1 wherein: said first arm is integrally formed with said spring means; and   said second arm is integrally formed with said spring means.   
     
     
       4. The needle tip cover of claim 3 wherein: said means adjacently between said first arm and said second arm for preventing a used disposable needle tip from escaping includes at least one burr projecting out of at least one of said arms.   
     
     
       5. The needle tip cover of claim 3 wherein: said means adjacently between said first arm and said second arm for preventing a used disposable needle tip from escaping includes a flange integrally formed on at least one of said arms.   
     
     
       6. The needle tip cover of claim 3 wherein: said means adjacently between said first arm and said second arm for preventing a used disposable needle tip from escaping includes said second arm supporting a substantially pliable surface.   
     
     
       7. The needle tip cover of claim 5 wherein: said substantially pliable surface includes an adhesive thereon.   
     
     
       8. A needle tip cover comprising: a resiliently closable shell capable of being deformed into defining a first open shape but tending to resiliently assume a second closed shape;   whereby the tip of a used disposable needle can enter said shell in a motion that is substantially transverse to an axis defined by the needle when said shell is in said first open shape;   means within said shell for preventing the escape of the needle tip from within said shell when said shell has resiliently assumed said second closed shape; and   means for holding said shell in said first open shape, said means being disabled by the arrival of a used disposable needle tip within said shell.   
     
     
       9. The needle tip cover of claim 8 wherein: said means within said shell for preventing the escape includes a pliable surface supported within said shell.   
     
     
       10. The needle tip cover of claim 8 wherein: said shell includes an adhesive supported therein.   
     
     
       11. The needle tip cover of claim 8 wherein: said means within said shell for preventing the escape includes a plurality of burrs projecting inward in said shell, said burrs contact the needle tip and prevent the movement thereof when said shell resiliently assumes said second closed shape.   
     
     
       12. The needle tip cover of claim 8 wherein: said means for holding said shell in said first open shape includes a column that is capable of being dislodged.   
     
     
       13. The needle tip cover of claim 8 wherein: said means for holding said shell in said first open shape includes a collapsible column lodged within said shell.   
     
     
       14. The needle tip cover of claim 13 wherein: said collapsible column includes a thin walled tubular portion.   
     
     
       15. A method of rendering a used disposable needle safe from accidental puncture comprising the steps of: a) providing a needle tip cover which is capable of assuming a first open shape but tending to resiliently assume a second closed shape;   b) providing means for opening said needle tip cover to assume said first open shape;   c) placing a used disposable needle tip within said needle tip cover in a motion which is substantially transverse to an axis defined by the needle; and   d) disabling said means for opening said needle tip cover, thereby allowing said needle tip cover to resiliently assume its second closed shape over the tip of the used disposable needle.   
     
     
       16. The method of claim 15 wherein: the shaft of the used disposable needle pressing against said needle tip cover provides said means for opening said needle tip cover.   
     
     
       17. The method of claim 15 wherein: said means for opening said needle tip cover is a column wedged within said needle tip cover.   
     
     
       18. The method of claim 17 wherein: said step of disabling said means for opening said needle tip cover is accomplished by striking the needle against said column.